Iraqi leader tells Bush: Get Gen. Petraeus Out
By Damien McElroy, Daily Telegraph
Stormy relationship: Nouri al-Maliki and Gen. David Petraeus
Relations between the top United States general in Iraq and Nouri al-Maliki, the country's prime minister, are so bad that the Iraqi leader made a direct appeal for his removal to President George W Bush.
Although the call was rejected, aides to both men admit that Mr Maliki and Gen David Petraeus engage in frequent stand-up shouting matches, differing particularly over the US general's moves to arm Sunni tribesmen to fight al-Qa'eda.
One Iraqi source said Mr Maliki used a video conference with Mr Bush to call for the general's signature strategy to be scrapped. "He told Bush that if Petraeus continues, he would arm Shia militias," said the official. "Bush told Maliki to calm down."
At another meeting with Gen Petraeus, Mr Maliki said: "I can't deal with you any more. I will ask for someone else to replace you."
Gen Petraeus admitted that the relationship was stormy, saying: "We have not pulled punches with each other."
(Continued here.)
Stormy relationship: Nouri al-Maliki and Gen. David Petraeus
Relations between the top United States general in Iraq and Nouri al-Maliki, the country's prime minister, are so bad that the Iraqi leader made a direct appeal for his removal to President George W Bush.
Although the call was rejected, aides to both men admit that Mr Maliki and Gen David Petraeus engage in frequent stand-up shouting matches, differing particularly over the US general's moves to arm Sunni tribesmen to fight al-Qa'eda.
One Iraqi source said Mr Maliki used a video conference with Mr Bush to call for the general's signature strategy to be scrapped. "He told Bush that if Petraeus continues, he would arm Shia militias," said the official. "Bush told Maliki to calm down."
At another meeting with Gen Petraeus, Mr Maliki said: "I can't deal with you any more. I will ask for someone else to replace you."
Gen Petraeus admitted that the relationship was stormy, saying: "We have not pulled punches with each other."
(Continued here.)
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1 Comments:
In today’s NYTimes, Frank Rich writes that in the end “while America continues to be bogged down in Iraq, this much is certain: It will all be the fault of President Petraeus.” Essentially, Rich’s contention is that Petraeus is now in charge.
In my opinion, Gen. David Petraeus is acting as America’s Viceroy.
RECOMMENDED READING this article where Petraeus is moving on another strategic change with the “hiring” and arming Sunni’s as local protection forces. Did Petraeus not learn anything from his Mosul experience? As the article warns”More than one influential Sunni in Rasheed indicated they had ambitions beyond securing their immediate neighborhood. "Our first priority is to go after al-Qaeda. Then we can support the Americans in fighting Jaish al-Mahdi," said one Sunni leader, referring to the Shiite militia that operates in the district. This is a change in US policy and that has not been debated or discussed as it should have been. In fact, this is exactly opposition of the McCain offered plan that advocated forcing the ethnic and religious groups to be part of a united Iraqi military. This may be the basis of the suggestion that Prime Minister al-Maliki wants Petraeus replaced.
Petraeus’s other plan to have US forces there through 2009 is a blatant challenge to the al-Maliki government and to the US Congress.
With both of these actions, the question must be asked : Why is Petraeus acting without approval and in concert with the al-Maliki government … or is he acting in preparation for the al-Maliki coalition government failure? Shouldn’t America be “supporting” the “elected government” ?
Both of these actions seem to be counter to al-Mahdi’s expressed goals of getting America out of Iraq. Why isn’t Petraeus placing more emphasis on going after the people who are sending mortars into the Green Zone? Those mortars are launched from close distances and are a direct affect on the operation of not only the US Embassy but also the operation of the central government.
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